When I first started my journey in mechanical music, I wanted to find an instrument to bring around to share and show people an example of mechanical music as how it was presented over a century ago.

There were many different instruments to choose from such as organettes, tabletop reed organs and of course the barrel or roll operated monkey organs.

After listening to videos and seeing some of these instruments in person I knew once I saw and heard some of the monkey organs in person that this was the instrument of my dreams to play for people.

Naturally I started to look for one in my local aera but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. I tried networking with several collectors and without any luck failed at locating an organ available to purchase.

I did not give up though and I continued to search the internet and reached out to a few websites overseas in regard to purchasing an organ but to my disappointment nothing was available.

After a little while I decided to put the idea on the back burner in my mind and continue with what I was currently working on.

However, a little while ago I was sent a link by a friend on a social media platform for a gentleman that was looking to sell his father’s 20/31 Raffin organ.

Naturally I inquired about it immediately as I read the message and was fortunate enough to have reached him before it sold.

After a lot of going back and forth and thinking things over we came to an agreement, and I was now the proud owner of an original Raffin 20/31 note organ!

I could hardly wait for my new Raffin organ to arrive! I anxiously counted down the days till I received it in the mail. Around a week and a half later I received the Raffin.

Once I got to test it out and try a few songs on it, I knew that I had to take it somewhere as soon as I could.

Ater thinking it over and looking at what events were upcoming I decided to take my new organ to the cruise night at Historic Attractions, a history museum in Roscoe Illinois. This was a nice medium sized event with a wide variety of cars and people. As soon as I started to set up and play the organ people gathered around me and asked questions on how I found it and how it worked and so forth. Needless to say, it was definitely entertaining to talk to people and see what they thought about it.

Overall, the organ was a great success as it generated a lot of foot traffic my way and even some business too. I had groups of people guessing which songs I was playing and even children sitting and dancing to it as well. Overall, the night was very nice and most of all fun.

On Mechanical Music Parade’s Facebook page, you can see a video of me playing daisy bell on my organ at the car show.

I hope to have many adventures with this little organ and keep playing it for many people and at many places to come.

Please stay tuned and check back on the blog post tab to see more updates and adventures of my Raffin organ.

Dylan N. Hallman

Over the years I have read and collected many books on the subject of restoring and researching the inner mechanics of mechanical musical organs. One of my all-time favorites that I always go back to for referencing mechanical organs is none other than ‘’Waldkirch and Street Fairground Organs’’.

This book consists of pages filled with many wonderful pictures of various organs as well as many wonderful diagrams showing the interior mechanisms of various machines. The descriptions to the pictures are very easy to understand and give a very nice insight on the inner workings of mechanical organs.

This book highlights some very useful information to the enthusiast such as terminology on various pipe pieces and explaining different parts of mechanical organs. The book also contains a nice sized variety of organ scales for various sized organs as well as a good insight on the history of these instruments.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about antique mechanical musical. Out of a scale of ten I would place it at the solid ten out of ten.

This book can be purchased through AC Pilmer’s website: Waldkirch Street and Fairground Organs | A C Pilmer Automatic Music Ltd

Dylan N. Hallman

Just a few days ago I was asked by a new mechanical music machine enthusiast on what is the best way to see mechanical music collections and how to meet new people that enjoy this hobby? My answer to this question was to join an organization such as MBSI and AMICA.

Now you might ask what are the benefits? Well, here are my answers to those questions.

 One is that you will instantly be connected to a vast network of people from all over the world! Joining one of these groups will instantly connect you with hundreds of different people in the mechanical music world. Once you get your membership you will gain access to the directory with contact information to all of the different members from around the world. This is the chance to reach out and connect with various collectors, museums and other enthusiasts.

Some of my fondest memories from joining was getting to meet other enthusiasts whom I would never have met otherwise. Some of these enthusiasts I can happily say have become lifelong friends.

The second reason is that they visit many collections all over the world. From private collections to public museums and spaces that feature mechanical music machines.

While these organizations do tour public spaces, they often visit many collections that are private. Some of these collections are very diverse and offer a glimpse of many rare and unique pieces that are not available to the general public to see. This alone is a very good reason to consider joining as some of the pieces featured in certain private collections are some of the only known examples known to exist and they can’t be viewed in any other place.

Through these groups I have seen many beautiful pieces over the years at private individual collector’s houses to behind the scenes tours of museums and tourist attractions. Some of these memories are my favorites due to the new perspective of viewing these wonderful places that I wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise if I was not a member.

My last reason to join one of these organizations is that they are truly fun! I can’t not emphasize or express enough that joining these groups and attending their meetings has been a whole lot of fun! I often look back very fondly at the memories and good times that I have had being a member of these groups and I look forward to continuing my membership for years to come.

Links:

AMICA 

MBSI

COAA

I invite you to explore the many groups and organizations available associated with mechanical music machines and choose one that is the best fit for you.  Take your next step into the marvelous world of mechanical music by joining one of these fun-filled groups today to enjoy the many fabulous benefits available to members.

Dyan N. Hallman